tech
February 3, 2026
UK privacy watchdog opens inquiry into X over Grok AI sexual deepfakes
Information Commissioner’s Office to investigate whether Elon Musk’s firms have complied with data protection law
TL;DR
- The UK's ICO is investigating X and xAI over allegations that the Grok AI tool generated indecent deepfakes without consent.
- The investigation will assess potential breaches of GDPR, focusing on the design and deployment of Grok's safeguards.
- French prosecutors previously raided X's Paris headquarters as part of an investigation into child abuse images and deepfakes.
- X and xAI have faced criticism for mass-producing partially nudified images and sexualized deepfakes, particularly concerning girls and women.
- Breaches of GDPR can lead to significant fines, potentially up to 4% of global turnover.
- Researchers claim Grok AI generated approximately 3 million sexualized images, including thousands depicting children, in under two weeks.
- A cross-party group of MPs is urging the government to introduce AI legislation to prevent similar incidents.
- The UK government is strengthening the Online Safety Act and plans to ban tools designed to create non-consensual intimate images.
Continue reading the original article